Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-09
A Tribute TO Bravery.

to Mr.. Walter Ridgely. of Texarkana,
Texas The letter briefly states how
Mr.. kIdgely, by taking the part of
commercial traveller, was obliged in
self-defense 70 kill seven men. The
following is an account of the gentle
mans life and narrow escapes from the
band Of desperadoes:
"Walter Ridgely owns a large ranch
adjoining the Indian Territory. an
estimate of the value of his possessions
places it in the neighborhood of $780,
900. The greater portion of this prop
erty was inherited from his father, Col.
John FL. Ridgely, a native of New Jer-
sey, who settled in Texas years ago and
served as an officer in the Confederate
army. Walter was born in Texas thirty
four years ago. He was sent to Prince
ton College and graduated there in 1873.
After leaving college he returned to
Texas, bat after short stay on his
fathers ranch he went West, and in
1875 was serving as a scout under Gen.
Custer. He remained in the wild
western country until 1882, when his
father died and he returned to Texas,
where he has since lived.
On March Sd last Mr.. Ridgely went
to Ropemeyer's store. about eight miles
from his ranch and plantation. He was
in conversation there with some of the
neighboring ranch-owners when two
brothers, Joe and Robert Murphy, en-
tered, followed by a stranger. From
the conversation that took place be-
tween the three, those present learned
that on the preceding day the stranger.
who was travelling salesman, had
crossed the river to the Indian Nation
on the ferry kept by the Murphys, pay
ing 80 cents for his ferriage. On his
return that morning the Murphys again
ferried him over, but demanded 50 as
payment. This the stranger refused to
pay, and they had taken his sample case
from him. When Mr.. Ridgely heard
what had taken place he told the
Murphys that they should not try TO i'm
pose on stranger in such q manner.
The brothers turned on him with abus-
i've epithets and finally both sprang at
him. Although the two brothers were
stalwart men and noted as desperadoes
they had met a man whom their united
attack did not terrify. Mr.. Ridgely is
is five feet eleven inches in
hight, with a well-built frame, made
strong and active by the outdoor lite
he has led, and in his keen, dark eyes
and determined countenance his assail-
ants might have read warning had
they not relied upon the odds they pre-
sented against him. Ridgely did not
retreat when attacked, but, promptly
striking out, sent one of the men to the
floor with a well-directed blow. The
other at once drew his pistol, but before
he had time to aim it Ridgely had drawn
his own and sent bullet through his
heart. The other had in the meantime
regained his feet and drew his own re-
volver. Quick as flash Ridgely turned
upon him and second bullet gave him
a mortal wound from which he died the
following day. The testimony of all
who had witnessed the tragedy showed
that Ridgely's act had been necessary
to preserve his own life, and that the
two brothers owed their fate to them
selves
John Murphy, a brother of the two
men killed, and Thomas, their uncle
FASTENED to Texarkana, upon hearing
of the death of their relatives. and were
loud in their threats that they would
avenge them by Staying Ridgely. The
latter heard of these threats and sought
TO avoid further bloodshed by remain
ing on his ranch, except when actually
obliged to leave it on business. March
p he was thus obliged to go to the
farm of neighbor two miles distant.
Ii was dark when he mounted his horse
10 return. When but little more than
half the homeward road had been
trayersed two pistol shots suddenly rang
ont from behind trees bordering on the
road. The horse fell to the ground
dead, and with him fell its rider. John
and Thomas Murphy emerged from be-
hind the trees that had concealed them,